We offer two types of training – see below for more details. Do get in touch if you would like to discuss which is right for you and your business.

One Day Course: an in-depth introduction to the Lovegrove Essentials range of organic and natural products. A good refresher course for facial massage therapy . Introduces new concepts for you to try in your own facial treatments. Useful for individual therapists who would like to use the LE range for their own facials.

Two Day Bespoke Training: a course for 4 or more students held at your own premises or somewhere suitable nearby. Flexible delivery to minimise lost treatment time. Ideal for developing existing skills and adding new techniques. Includes high-quality retail sales training. Accredited with the FHT, 17 hours CPD.

One Day Course:This course is ideal for massage therapists who would like to improve their facial massage skills, learn more about choosing products for treatments, and recommend products to clients for self-care.

During this intensive day, we take an in-depth look at both the Lovegrove Essentials Retail and Professional ranges. We focus on developing your facial treatments and skills. Hannah gives a demonstration of some new techniques you can use in your treatments, including couch set up and the positioning of the body to encourage very deep relaxation in your client during the treatment.

We discuss different products and treatments you might incorporate in your own treatment menu, and how to help your clients get the best skin care regime for their needs.

Learn more about natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and formulations, with opportunities to sample all the products.

Refresh your knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

Consider ways to improve your consultation, planning and preparation of the client for treatment.

Learn new massage techniques, incorporating Marma points, the energy centres in the face, neck and shoulders.

Learn how to recommend self-care products to address specific issues for your client.

Two Day Course:
This course is ideal for experienced face and body massage therapists and salons who would like to incorporate a range of high quality natural/organic and vegan products, and offer a new and innovative holistic facial treatment to their clients.

This fully accredited course covers practical techniques and the theory behind the luxurious and totally unique Lovegrove Essentials Facial Therapy Treatment. Successful completion awards 17 CPD points and allows the therapist to use the trademark name and logo for their treatments.

The combination of the Lovegrove Essentials Professional Range of products with freshly prepared herbal extracts and a unique method of positioning the body on the couch gives a deeply, holistically relaxing and rejuvenating treatment for the body and mind. It achieves this through the use of:

Restorative techniques for positioning and releasing the client’s body to promote release of the deeper muscles and tissues.

Simple and clever masks made fresh from herbal teas and highly anti-oxidant natural extracts to soothe and exfoliate the skin.

The stimulation of the Marma points during the facial massage.

Use of Kansa Wands to stimulate deep relaxation and lymph drainage.

The use of luxurious essential oils, carefully chosen for their balancing and soothing effects on the skin, the senses and the brain.

These elements are blended together to deliver a deep and powerful new treatment. The techniques are designed to maximise the opportunity to stimulate the lymph system and relieve stress from body and mind at a cellular level. After the treatment, clients report feeling deeply rested, quietly alert, centred and composed, with a more positive frame of mind.

Day One: Hannah conducts an intensive day where students learn all the elements needed to give and receive a treatment, including refreshing core knowledge and developing new skills and techniques. Each student then undertakes 4-6 weeks’ practice with case studies and home study.Day Two: Hannah & Hayley return to carry out formal assessments and conduct the retail sales training. Feedback is provided and students receive their certificates by post a few days later.

Dates 2019:
The courses are held at your premises or by arrangement at Saddle Street Farm, Thorncombe, Dorset TA20 4PY.
For more information please complete the online application form below, or print, scan and send the pdf.

Click HERE for a Booking Form.
Click HERE for a printable Booking Form.

We have all experienced the connection between emotions and our digestive system – we call them gut feelings – and we know that our emotions can affect how our intestines function. The same is also true the other way around – conditions in our intestines can influence our mental state, and even the development of mood disorders – and we’re now beginning to understand how this works.

I have first-hand experience of this. About 15 years ago, fed up with suffering from IBS, I decided to try cutting out some food groups, starting with dairy and wheat. I didn’t notice much at first but after about four weeks the pain and bloating subsided, and I felt a great deal better. Then I noticed that the mood swings I had always put down to hormonal changes had also completely gone. These mood swings could be quite extreme, and included feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, low-self-esteem, and poor self-image.

I tried re-introducing the foods, first dairy without any problems. But when I introduced wheat, I had the most profound reaction. The next day, I was almost suicidal and could hardly put one foot in front of the other – it was all I could do to get through that day. I held onto the thought that this had to be something outside of me, something external because nothing had changed from yesterday except that I had eaten wheat. This reaction persists even now, and even a tiny amount of wheat – ordinary soy sauce, or crispy-coated chips – will give me a dreadful ‘low’ about 24 hours later.

Our intestines are naturally porous. With conditions such as IBS there is a certain amount of inflammation and therefore swelling, hence the bloating and backache. Undigested food particles can pass more easily into the blood stream. The chemical balance of the fluid between the cells changes. All this affects the Vagus nerve, the messenger between our intestines and the brain. It’s the longest cranial nerve in the body and it has a role in the interplay between autonomic regulation (the unconscious functions of the body like heart rate and digestion) and the limbic centres which govern emotional expression and control.

We used to think of the Vagus nerve as simply the carrier of commands from the brain to glands and organs, but because it actually has more afferent neurons (taking messages from the body to the brain) rather than efferent neurons (taking messages from the brain to the body) it’s an important mediator of the connections between conditions in the abdomen and our emotional state.

This research is so important that it’s now being described as the third division of the autonomic nervous system and scientists are carefully studying the connection between our emotions and the role of the Vagus nerve. For example, a human has more serotonin receptors in the gut than in the brain. Understanding this relationship has many implications and explains why new medication guidelines for many chronic intestinal disorders recommend antidepressants over traditionally used drugs.

A recent study found that facial massage causes transmission along the Vagus nerve and into the limbic system, producing feelings of being soothed and cared for. In abdominal massage, it’s likely that stimulating the Vagus nerve help to shift the body into a parasympathetic state, giving us those feelings we experience after a good yoga class or a meditation session. So, the use of abdominal massage for mood disorders, relaxation and sleep promotion is an excellent reason (if you need one) to include abdominal massage in your treatments.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Ready-blended with essential oils for different therapeutic effects, or unscented.

How to use:

Scoop some balm from the tub into your hands. It will ‘melt’ on contact with skin and is then ready to apply to the area to be massaged. Add more as necessary.

Other ways of using it:

Use a small amount on your skin before shaving.

Use as a nourishing massage treatment for the head and hair.

Who is it for?

These balms are suitable for all skin types.

Olive Massage Balm:

Olive Fruit Oil – an unscented massage balm, it is extremely effective on dry, chapped skin, useful for eczema or psoriasis, and especially good for hands, elbows, knees and feet. Nourishing and softening, it provides excellent protection from weather and water. Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and antifungal. Rice bran wax is a skin conditioning and protecting agent with high antioxidant properties.

Lavender and Clary Sage:

Lavender – relaxing calming and soothing, anti-septic and anti-inflammatory. Known to relieve toothache, neuralgia, rheumatism among many other ailments. It has been used as an insect repellent and was used in hospitals during the first world war to disinfect floors and walls.

Clary Sage – reduces skin inflammation and regulates the natural sebum production, making it suitable for all skin types. Has an uplifting effect and is known for its positive effects on mood swings, balancing female hormones and facilitating restful sleep. (NB: Clary Sage Essential Oil is not recommended during pregnancy.)

Black Pepper and Rosemary:

Black Pepper – warming and stimulating, used to ease muscle and joint pain, often used in blends for sports massage. May be used for skin inflammations and superficial wounds and to treat stomach and digestive issues.

Spike Lavender, Ginger and Marjoram:

Spike Lavender – stronger than lavender, it has a wide range of therapeutic properties. Deeply relaxing for the mind and body tissues, anti-septic and revitalising, can be helpful for a range of skin problems including abscesses, acne, athlete’s foot, boils, bruises, eczema, spots, sores, wounds, sunburn, insect bites and stings.

Ginger – healing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, it is very soothing for aching joints and muscles. Helpful when combined with other oils in massage blends for after sport and relaxation.

Marjoram – anti-spasmodic, calming and sedative, known for its soothing and relaxing benefits on the mind and on tired, aching muscles. Often added to sports massage blends.

KEY INGREDIENTS IN ALL BALMS:

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil – an excellent carrier for other oils, it is extremely effective on dry, chapped skin. It is especially good for hands, elbows, knees and feet. Nourishing and softening, it provides excellent protection from weather and water. Quickly absorbed by the skin it also helps regulate sebum production.

Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil – a good emollient, easily absorbed it leaves the skin smooth and nourished. It is odourless and colourless and won’t stain linen or towels during massage. It is naturally antibacterial and antifungal and can penetrate hair better than other oils.

Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax – a skin conditioning and protecting agent with high antioxidant properties. Provides a protective, non-comedogenic barrier. It is not hydrogenated, is Ecocert, Cosmos approved and vegan friendly.

Lovegrove Essentials Massage Balms – the top five FAQ.

As massage and facial therapists, we all want our clients to have the best experience we can provide for them. In my treatment room, I use our award-winning aromatherapy massage balms, not only for their therapeutic benefits, but also to lift the quality of the experience for the client and add another dimension to their treatment.

Changing from your normal massage product can be a bit daunting, so we have compiled the most frequent questions we receive from massage therapists about the Lovegrove Essentials Massage Balms.

We’d love you to try them for yourself – send us an email for our current prices and special offers!

1. What are they made from?

The four ingredients are Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Rice Bran Wax and natural Vitamin E. As a combination, these natural ingredients are moisturising, easily absorbed and protect cell membranes from free radical damage. They keep the product solid at room temperature and turn to liquid on contact with the skin. Each one also has its own special function – you can find out more about them HERE. To these, we add essentials oils, so each blend has a specific effect. We also leave one free from essential oils. The ingredients are completely natural, vegan, COSMOS-approved and cruelty-free.

2. Are they more expensive than oils?

Basic massage oils are made from a variety of base oils, such as grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, and fractionated coconut oil (meaning it’s refined so that it stays liquid at room temperature), all of which are relatively inexpensive. Many cheaper blends also contain artificial ingredients, such as ‘parfum’. Using liquid oils for massage can be very wasteful – the oil is left on the skin, on towels and clothing, and bottles are prone to spillage – so it’s difficult to compare prices weight-for-weight. Lovegrove Essentials Massage Balms are similar in quality to Weleda, Aromatherapy Associates and Elemis products.

3. How many massages will I get from a 100g pot?

The Lovegrove Essentials Massage Balms use unfractionated coconut oil and rice bran wax to give a product melts easily in contact with the skin and provides just the right amount of resistance and slippage. So you will use exactly the same amount of massage balm per massage as you do with an oil. However, unlike oils, you will use every gram from each pot for your massages – no spills or waste.

4. Are all the blends safe for pregnancy?

Used under proper dilution, and on an as-needed basis (rather than every day), most essential oils should not cause any problems during a healthy pregnancy, however it is always best to err on the side of caution.
• The Olive Oil Massage Balm is completely safe for use as it contains no essential oils at all.
• During pregnancy, use essential oils sparingly for health support, such as calming anxiety (Spike Lavender), relieving nausea (Ginger), or supporting sleep (Marjoram).
• Essential oils of Rosemary and Clary Sage are generally to be avoided during pregnancy, but could be helpful once labour has started, and only if all is well. We would encourage you to consult your doctor or midwife and discontinue use of the “to be avoided” essential oils.
• If you are a massage therapist and expecting a baby, you will need to consider how often you are using any products containing essential oils. The more you use, the more you absorb, so don’t use essential oils every day during pregnancy.

5. Can I use them all over the body?

The Lovegrove Essentials Massage Balms have been designed for use all over the body, including the scalp and hair, with the exception of the facial skin. We have conducted trials with therapists who have used the balms very successfully for treatments such as reflexology, and as cuticle softeners during hand and foot treatments. For facial massage we recommend our lighter Healing Touch Serum, which contains Argan oil, also useful for the scalp and hair.

At the July residential yoga weekend, I wanted a dessert that would be light, yet full of flavour and would round off a fairly substantial meal without leaving guests with that “heavy” feeling. This was a huge hit, and I’m delighted that this recipe will be featured in the December issue of Bee Green Magazine, but just for subscribers. In the meantime, here’s a sneaky peek:

This is such an easy recipe to make. It would be a lovely way to end a meal with friends and it doubles (or triples!) up easily too. The orchard on the farm is full of pears, plums and apples right now, and I can’t wait to make the most of the season’s bounty at our next Yoga weekend in October. There are still places left, so if a weekend of yoga and delicious food in the depths of the Dorset countryside sound good, do get in touch.

Method
Peel the pears, leaving the stalks on and set aside. Place the cider, sugar and spices into a large saucepan with a lid, give it a good stir, then place the pears in and put the lid on. Simmer over a medium heat for around 20-30 minutes, or until a round bladed knife passes easily through the thickest part of the pear. Carefully, remove the pears from the poaching liquid using a slotted spoon, set aside and keep warm. Turn the heat up under the poaching liquid, and with the lid off, reduce until thickened and syrupy. Remove the cardamom pods and the cinnamon stick but keep the peppercorns in. Put the pears into individual serving dishes, spoon over the syrup and sprinkle with toasted almonds then serve with a dollop of cream or your favourite yogurt or dairy-free alternative on the side.